Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan closes on Sunday 10 May 2026 at Japan House London. Entry is free. If you haven’t been, this is one of the best Japanese craft exhibitions to come to London in years — and you have two weeks left.
Book a free time slot at japanhouselondon.uk →
What Is the Exhibition?
Hyakkō (百工) means “hundred pieces” in Japanese — but this exhibition brings together nearly 2,000 hand-crafted works by over 120 artists, craftspeople, and self-taught makers from across Japan. The works span ceramics, glass, wood, leather, metal, lacquer, and bamboo, ranging from delicate porcelain tea bowls to lacquered trays, wooden vessels, and exquisite glassware.
The exhibition was curated by Nagata Takahiro and organised in collaboration with Ryohin Keikaku (MUJI). Rather than focusing on a single material or tradition, Hyakkō sets out to capture the breadth of contemporary Japanese craft — from urban studios to rural workshops, from makers who have held solo exhibitions to self-taught practitioners working quietly in the countryside.
Each piece bears traces of its maker’s surroundings and reflects the balance between form and function that runs through Japanese craft culture. The result is a show that feels both comprehensive and intimate — a snapshot of where Japanese making stands today.
Practical Information
- Closes: Sunday 10 May 2026
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:00, Sunday and public holidays 12:00–18:00
- Venue: Japan House London, 101–111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
- Admission: Free. Booking a time slot is recommended but walk-ins are accepted.
Why It’s Worth Going
Japan House London is already one of the most thoughtfully curated Japanese cultural spaces in Europe — and Hyakkō is one of its most ambitious exhibitions to date. The scale alone is impressive: 2,000 objects from 120+ makers, covering the full range of materials used in Japanese craft today.
But what makes the show distinctive is its argument. Rather than presenting Japanese craft as a single tradition, Hyakkō treats it as a living, plural practice — one shaped by geography, material, personal history, and constant reinvention. The ceramic matcha bowls sit alongside metal teapots, bamboo baskets alongside leather goods. The effect is of a landscape, not a taxonomy.
The exhibition also includes video material showing craft-making processes — useful context for anyone encountering these techniques for the first time.
Throughout the run, Japan House has hosted related events including workshops, gallery tours, and specialist talks. Check the Japan House website for any remaining sessions before 10 May.
Venue & Access
Japan House London
101–111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
- Tube: High Street Kensington (District and Circle lines) — 2 min walk
- Bus: Routes 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 328, 360 all stop on Kensington High Street
Japan House also has a shop selling works by over 30 of the exhibiting artists — worth browsing on the way out.
For Japanese Learners
The vocabulary of Japanese craft is deeply embedded in the language itself. Terms like wabi (imperfect beauty), shibui (quiet elegance), mingei (folk craft), and shokunin (artisan) appear throughout Japanese conversation, literature, and everyday life. Seeing the objects these words describe makes them far easier to remember and understand.
Want to learn the Japanese behind the craft?
From shokunin to wabi-sabi, Japanese craft culture is deeply woven into the language. Our certified native teachers offer private lessons from £23 — online or in person in London.
Book a trial lesson — £23Free JLPT materials
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Written by Ayaka Uchida — CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.